Windshield cleaning apparatus



1951 0. K. KELLEY ETAL 3,008,171

WINDSHIELD CLEANING APPARATUS Original Filed Feb. 9, 1955 INVENTORSOliver K. Kelley Y Gilbert K. House Clifford C. Wrigley V 71/04 0 TheirAttorney atent Ofic 3,608,171 Patented Nov. 14, 1961 6 Claims. c1.15-25004 This invention pertains to the art of windshield washing, andparticularly to the construction and arrangement of the nozzles throughwhich liquid solvent is discharged onto a vehicular transparency. Thisapplication is a division of Serial No. 487,03 3, filed February 9, 1955and now abandoned.

In present day windshield washer apparatus, the discharge nozzles aremounted on the cowl portion of the vehicle in proximity to thewindshield cleaner assemblies. Thus, the liquid solvent which isdischarged therefrom always impinges substantially the same windshieldarea, and the wiper blades are employed to distribute the solvent andeffect cleaning of the windshield. This system, while tolerable, leavesmuch to be desired. Accordingly, among our objects are the provision ofa windshield washer arrangement wherein the liquid solvent is dischargedimmediately adjacent the wiper blades; the further provision of a washerarrangement wherein the sol vent discharge always leads the blademovement; the further provision of a pivoted arm and blade assemblywherein the washer discharge nozzle is mounted on the arm for movementtherewith; and the still further provision of a wiper arm and bladeassembly wherein the washer discharge nozzle is mounted on the arm, andthe blade is capable of limited transverse movement relative to the arm.

The aforementioned and other objects are accomplished in the presentinvention by positioning the washer discharge nozzle on the wiper armadjacent its connection with the wiper blade. Specifically, twoembodiments of the improved windshield washer nozzle arrangement aredisclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the wiper blade is pivotallyconnected to the wiper arm at a point displaced from the center of theblade. The wiper arm includes a pair of spaced tangs, or ears, disposedon opposite sides of the blade. These tangs function to limit pivotalmovement of the blade relative to the arm, which pivotal movement iscaused by the unbalanced pivotal connection between the arm and blade.That is, the length of the wiper blade on one side of its pivotalconnection with the arm is substantially greater than the length of theblade on the other side of the pivotal connection. In this manner, thelonger end of the blade will lag behind the arm during oscillatorymovement thereof.

The Washer line is carried by the wiper arm, and the discharge nozzletherefor is located outwardly of the pivotal connection between theblade and the arm. Accordingly, during movement of the blade from thevehicle cowl towards the outboard stroke limit position thereof, theblade will pivot relative to the arm due to the frictional resistance torelative movement between the blade and the windshield, which is causedby the pressure applying means of the arm. Inasmuch as the longer end ofthe blade lags behind the arm while the discharge nozzle is in alignmentwith the arm, the discharge nozzle will always lead movement of thewiper blade, and the liquid solvent will be discharged immediatelyadjacent and forwardly of the blade throughout its oscillatory movement.

In another embodiment, the wiper arm and wiper blade are interconnectedin a manner permitting limited transverse movement therebetween duringreversal in the direction of blade and arm movement. The washer linecarried by the arm terminates in a block having discharge nozzles, orjets, located on opposite end surfaces. The Wiper blade is attached tothe block, and the block is slidably supported on an arm carried pin.The pin carries a pair of spaces sealing washers, which constitutevalves for alternately closing jets on oppoiste ends of the block. Inoperation, the jets leading the blade will be open during blade movementand the liquid solvent will be dis charged immediately adjacent theblade throughout its oscillatory movement.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing wherein pre ferred embodiments of the present invention areclearly shown, and wherein similar reference characters denote similarparts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of an automobile washer system embodyingthe present invention;

' FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly inelevation, of a modified nozzle arrangement, taken generally along line22 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly inelevation, taken along line 33 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view, in elevation, of the preferred washerarrangement;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE4; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 66 of FIGURE5.

With particular reference to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the washingmechanism of this invention is depicted in combination with a vehiclehaving a windshield 10-. The vehicle is equipped with a windshieldcleaner assembly comprising a wiper arm 11, which is connected to asuitable shaft, not shown, by which means oscillatory movement may beimparted to the arm 1'1. The outer end of the arm 11 is detachablyconnected to a wiper blade 12, which may be of conventional design. Inthe present invention, the wiper arm 11 supports a nozzle 13, throughwhich liquid solvent may be sprayed onto the windshield 10. Preferably,liquid solvent is drawn from a reservoir 14 and forcibly ejected throughthe nozzle 13 by means of a pump 15, which interconnects the reservoir14- and the nozzle 13 through a line, or conduit, 16.

The pumping mechanism may be of the character disclosed in our copendingapplication, Serial No. 487,197, filed of even date herewith, now PatentNo. 2,898,644. Thus, the pumping means 15 is connected by a conduit 17to a valve assembly 18, which may include a dashboard control knob 19.The valve 18 is connected by a conduit 20 with a source of fluid underpressure 21. In addition, the valve assembly 18 may constitute a part ofa coordinated washer and wiper control valve unit, as disclosed in ourcopending application, Serial No. 487,196, filed of even date herewith,now Patent No. 2,847,978.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a modified embodiment ofthis invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wiperarm 11 is of channel shape, the outer end thereof being flattened at 22and having a pair of spaced, inwardly extending ears, or tangs, 23 and24. The washer line 16 is situated within the channeled arm 11, andextends through an opening 25 whereby a portion thereof lies above theflattened arm portion 22. The line 16 terminates in the nozzle 13outwardly of the flattened arm portion 22.

The wiper blade 12 preferably includes a flexible backing strip 26,which permits the squeegee element of the blade to conform to the curvedvehicular transparency. As shown in FIG. 2, the backing strip 26 isrigidly connected to a pivot pin 27, which projects through an opening28 in the flattened arm portion 22. The arm and blade may be detachablyconnected by means of a spring washer 29.

It should be noted that the pivot pin 27 is connected 'to the blade 12at unequal distances from the ends thereof. In particular, the longerportion of the blade 12 extends outwardly of the pin 27. In this manner,the frictional resistance encountered by the blade as it traverses thewindshield, which frictional resistance is caused by the wiping pressureapplied to the arm, will cause the blade 12 to pivot relative to the arm11 on an axis substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of theblade, as shown in FIG. 3. In particular, the long end of the blade 12will lag behind the arm 11, as depicted in FIGS.

.1 and 3. The tangs 23 and 24 limit pivotal movement of the bladerelative to the arm. Pivotal movement of the blade relative to the arm,while the nozzle 13 is disposed in alignment with the arm, results in anarrangement whereby the liquid solvent will always be discharged aheadof the blade 12 during oscillatory movement thereof. Thus, thewater willbe distributed over the windshield surface to be cleaned by the nozzle,rather than by the blade as in prior washer arrangements.

With reference to FIGS. 4 through 6, the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is disclosed. In FIGS. 4 through 6, the wiper arm 11is of channel shape throughout its length. The outer end of the arm 11,as shown in FIG. 5, is slightly spread, and the side flanges thereof areformed with aligned openings 30 and 31. The

backing strip 26 of the blade 12 is permanently attached to a block 32,so that the blade extends substantially equal distances in eachdirection therefrom. The block 32, as shown in FIG. 5, is formed with atransverse opening 33 having an enlarged opening 34 in the medialportion thereof.

The washer line 16, which is received within the channel arm 11,terminates in the block 32. The open end thereof communicates with thecounterbored opening 34. The blade and arm are detachably connected bymeans of a pin 35, reduced end portions of which are received in theopenings 30 and 31 of the arm 11. The larger diameter portion of the pin35 slida-bly supports the block 32 [for limited transverse movementrelative to the arm 11. The reduced diameter portions of the pin 35receive sealing washers 36 and 37, respectively.

As seen in FIGS. and 6, the counterbored portion 34 is connected withjets 38 on side portion 40 of the block 32 and also with jets 39 on sideportion 41 of the block. The washers 36 and 37 are arranged to sealinglyengage the sides 40 and 41, respectively, of the block 32 so as toalternately seal the jets 38 and 39. Operation of the modifiedembodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6 results in liquid solvent being dischargedonto the windshield immediately adjacent the blade 12 and always leadingblade movement. Thus, when the wiper arm imparts movement to the blade,the block 32 will slide on the pin 35 and uncover the jets adjacent theleading side of the blade as depicted in FIG. 5.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the present invention providesunique washer discharge nozzle arrangement wherein the liquid solvent isimpinged upon the windshield immediately adjacent the blade, and alwaysahead of the blade during oscillatory movement thereof in bothdirections. The improved results of such a washing system are readilyapparent, and the two embodiments disclosed in this application are ofextremely simple construction.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed,constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other formsmight'be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A window cleaning system including in combination, an oscillatablecleaner assembly movable back and forth across the surface of saidwindow comprising an arm and a blade, means interconnecting said bladeand arm comprising a block attached to said blade, said block having atransverse bore therethrough, and a pin carried by said arm andextending through said bore whereby said blade may move transverselyrelative to said arm upon reversal of movement of said aim, and nozzlemeans carried by said block for directing a jet of fluid onto the windowsurface immediately adjacent said blade and always leading the movementthereof.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said block is formedwith an internal counterbore which is connected with jets onoppositeside surfaces thereof.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said pin carries a pairof sealing washers which constitute valves for alternately sealing thejets on opposite sides of said block during oscillatory movement of saidcleaner assembly.

4. A window cleaning system including, a cleaner assembly arranged formovement back and forth across the surface of a window comprising an armand a blade, means interconnecting the blade and the arm for relativetransverse linear movement upon reversal of movement of said arm, fluidapplying means carried by said cleaner assembly for applying fluid tothe surface of the window on opposite sides of the blade, and valvemeans operable automatically upon relative transverse linear movementbetween said blade and said arm for causing fluid to be applied only inadvance of said wiper blade as said wiper blade moves across the surfaceof said window.

5. A window cleaning system including, a cleaner assembly movable backand forth across the surface of a window comprising an arm and a blade,means interconnecting the blade and the arm for relative movement uponreversal of the movement of said arm, fluid applying means carried bysaid blade for applying fluid to the surface of the window on oppositesides of said blade, and valve means carried by said arm and coactingwith said fluid applying means upon relative movement between said armand said blade for causing fluid to be applied only in advance of saidblade as the blade moves across the surface of said window.

6. A window cleaning system including, an oscillatable cleaner assemblymovable back and forth across the surface of a window, comprising an armand a blade, means interconnecting the blade and the arm for relativetransverse linear movement upon reversal of movement of said arm, fluidapplying means carried by said cleaner assembly and including nozzlemeans for directing fluid immediately onto the surface of said windowadjacent said blade on opposite sides thereof, and valve means coactingwith said fluid applying means upon relative transverse linear movementbetween said blade and said arm to open the nozzle means directedforwardly of said arm and close the other nozzle means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,695,342 Oishei Dec. 18, 1928 2,173,021 Longwell et al Sept. 12, 19392,348,502 Smulski May 9, 1944 2,562,819 Rappl July 31, 1951 2,632,911Deibel Mar. 31, 1953 2,763,023 Horton Sept. 18, 1956

